Coventry Blaze 0-4 Sheffield Steelers (final score, Saturday)

Bob Westerdale

Paul Thompson's return to Coventry Blaze delivered an epic victory last night in their second Challenge Cup group match.

The Sheffield Steelers coach, back in his old empire and stomping ground, saw his new tenacious team dominate for most of the game.

Tyler Plante posted a 25 shot shutout.

The two rivals had matched each other evenly in the first period (13-13 shots) but the goal-attempt that mattered had come from centreman Tyler Mosienko..he hit the back of the net after work from Mike Duco and d-man Rod Sarich (12:50 )

Then winger Colton Fretter intercepted a home pass (23:30) and punished the home defence with a confidently taken goal for 2-0.

It couldn't have gone better for Thompson, who built a title-winning dynasty at the Skydome.

Steelers had outshot Coventry 15/6 in the middle period - could they maintain that supremacy?

Asst captain Mathieu Roy had the answer, he fired low past Stewart for 3-0 at 41:28.

Thompson called a tactically-astute time out to maintain his side's composure as Steelers went for the shut out. It worked.

Blaze withdrew their goalie for the extra skater, but conceded an empty-netter via Levi Nelson.

Final Score Blaze 0 Steelers 4

Craig Peacock scored twice as Belfast Giants launched their Elite League campaign with a 6-2 victory over Manchester Storm at the SSE Arena.

Peacock put the Giants ahead just 2:33 into the contest but Manchester hit back with goals from Mathew Sisca and Vinny Scarsella to take a 2-1 lead into the first intermission.

Johan Ejdepalm then scored the fourth powerplay goal of the evening to tie the game before two goals in 30 seconds from Brandon Benedict and Peacock put the Giants in charge.

Jonathan Boxill and Mike Forney tallied in the third period to wrap up victory.